If passed, the bill would require the school day for middle schools and high schools to begin no earlier than 8:30 a.m. by July 1, 2020. Rural school districts can obtain a waiver from the State Board of Education to delay implementation.

“This makes a big statement to children, parents, and the education community that more and more legislators are using sound and definitive research to put the best interests of our students first," Portantino said after the bill passed in the Assembly's Education Committee in July. "School districts around the country that have moved teenage school start times later have seen measurable, positive results for student achievement and student public health."

American Academy of Pediatrics and the California State PTA also support the bill.

While law makers might be on board, some local educators are not.

For Tulare high school students, an 8 a.m. start time is essential, said Superintendent Tony Rodiguez.

"My opinion on SB 328, where there will be a mandate of school starting time no earlier than 8:30 am, is that each district should have control of their schedule. All district have different variables that can affect starting times," Rodriguez said. "In our high school district, for example, we have to consider how this would affect starting time for sports and extra-curricular activities. Other districts may have different factors that affect their starting time. So, the state should allow each district to determine their starting times."

According to American Academy of Sleep Medicine, an 8:30 a.m. start time would provide:

An adequate opportunity for adolescents to obtain sufficient sleep on school nights